Musharraf had promised to "save" the country from militancy and economic collapse but was barred from running as a candidate. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
The retired general has been barred from contesting in elections for life since returning in late March from a self-imposed exile. He is currently under house arrest.
A spokesperson for the All Party Muslim League (APML) on Friday told AFP that the decision was taken after a court on Tuesday banned the former ruler from contesting elections for the rest of his life.
"We were expecting justice from courts but instead they banned Pervez Musharraf for (his) whole life," Aasia Ishaque, information secretary for the party, told AFP.
"We think that under the present election commission, conduct of free and fair election is not possible, so we have decided to boycott it," she said, adding that 170 party candidates had withdrawn.
The decision to boycott the poll will likely have little effect on the outcome of the election, as the party had drummed up very little support.
Musharraf had promised to "save" the country from militancy and economic collapse but was barred from running as a candidate over charges dating back to his 1999-2008 rule.
Musharraf is being held under house arrest over the 2007 murder of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and for sacking judges in 2007 when he imposed emergency rule.
In addition he faces a third legal case over the 2006 death of a Baluch rebel leader and has been threatened with death by the Taliban.
COMMENTS (21)
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the feeling is that there will be a hung coalition forming in the centre this time with the possibility of early elections in 2 years or so, and in that time frame APML get further organize itself and clear his name from judicial terrorism related false charges. its a toss up but we'll see.
M shall prevail insha Allah....same way IK of PTI....took IK almost a decade to where he is today.....
A wrong decision....won't pay any dividend - ' out of sight out of mind.
Like many other small parties in Pakistan, it was a one man show. This is the main reason for boycott. These people are trying to save their skin by calling it boycott because they had slim chance of winning any seat. By the way how many members do they have?can party release that information?
Good decision Musharaf Sab..we are with you. You are intellectual unlike our corrupt politiciens. We are ignorant, we deserve Zaradari..Nawaz. You have delivered successfully in your tenor you will be in our hearts and prayers forever . God bless you
it about time they woke up and smell the coffee............
It is ironic that when Mush took over he was supported by many including Imran Khan for a long while. Now he is out of power and nobody with him. A lesson for all unelected leaders who think they are a legend but never won in elections. Anyway no big loss for the country he did not have a chance.
He should never have come back. Must be regretting his decision now.
We will do, whatever our great leader says. So if its a boycott, its a boycott.
Musharraf was the party lol!
Musharraf was hoping to get justice from the courts. 'Hom ko un se wafa ki umid thi jo nahi jante wafa kia hai "
"Musharraf had promised to “save” the country from militancy and economic collapse".
That's funny, he wanted to save us from these problems only after he put us in them and fled Pakistan.
APML is boycotting the election and we are eager to continue the democratic process in the country?
Democracy have its own fruits, but all the fruits are not tasty.
Time for MQM,ANP and PPP to boycott the elections as well so army can take over and clean this mess...
The "Party" was over a long time ago.
Yawnnnn!
Wise decision, does not matter what the excuse is.
When the extremists, the government and the judiciary are all against ONE man, HE IS YOUR HERO!
dignity is dignity. :)
its APML not "Musharraf Party" thank you.. Now change the title..!!
lol...